Denver Home Resource Blog: Mike Miguelez (Keller Williams Realty - DTC)

Fighter Jets Doing Maneuvers over Superior, Colorado

This past weekend, the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport celebrated its 50th anniversary, and to celebrate in style the airport hosted the 31st annual Rocky Mountain Regional Fly In and Colorado Sport Aviation Air Show.

The Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport is the former Jeffco Airport located just southeast of Superior, Colorado in Westminster.

Although there are a lot of activities what takes my breathe away (somewhat literally) is seeing the maneuvers performed by the military fighter jets. As my son puts it: “they're fast, they're loud, they're powerful – that's just cool!”

I'm certainly grateful that they're on our side.

If you look carefully, the "shadow" in the center of the photo is a fighter jet. The sunset was none too shabby either.

If your interested in learning more about the Superior Colorado or Louisville Colorado area, I invite you to contact me. Even if your not in the housing market. This is an amazing area and I love sharing things about it - I can give you an insider's look into the area, as only a “local” can.

Community Supports Victims of Fire in Superior Colorado

Late in the afternoon on Thursday, August 28, there was a fire at the Summit at Rock Creek Townhomes. The blaze forced 18 homes to be evacuated. Three were hospitalized and released.

There were more than 40 firefighters from multiple locations that assisted in combating the blaze.

Reports state that 18 families were initially displaced, and six families were still not in their homes as of last night.

I think the most important thing however is that there was no loss of life. As terrible as it is to loose material possessions, material possessions can be replaced.

The second part of this story is how a community has come together to do whatever it can to support their friends and neighbors.

Almost immediately, emails started to go out through the town of Superior's listserv, communicating efforts for helping those that were displaced.

The Red Cross was at hand to cover the families' immediate needs. Neighbors also provided initial assistance.

Members of the Superior Mustang Organization, Cool River Church, Rock Creek Church, and the HOA association organized fund raisers that started last night and will be going on all day (9:00am to 5:00pm) today in the parking lot at Community Park in Superior.

Many have been giving cash, clothes, and home furnishings.

Superior and the community of Rock Creek are relatively small. I don't know if it's because Superior Colorado is also small town USA, or if it's because I happen to live in a small place inhabited by people with large hearts. It doesn't really matter why. Seeing this outpouring of support from so many to help our neighbors in their time of need, well I've never been prouder or happier to call Superior Colorado my home.

My heart and prayers go out to all those that had loss. If you're local to Superior and wish to help please stop by Community Park (next to the Safeway on Coalton Road) today.

Thank you to the Superior Mustang Organization, Cool River Church, Rock Creek Church, the Red Cross, the HOA association, and the Rock Creek Community for all of the hard work in coordinating this effort. A huge thank you to the brave firefighters too.

Superior Colorado takes lead on solar energy at waste water treatment plan.

The town of Superior, Colorado made a goal in 2008 to make Superior an energy self-sufficient community within 10 years. Early projects included installing photovoltaic systems on 7 town of Superior facilities.

This week, on August 11th, another green project was announced. The town of Superior's waste water treatment facility will be utilizing solar energy to power the treatment facility.  The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2010. It will benefit the town of Superior and the Rock Creek community by producing an expected 280,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year. That's approximately equal to 8 percent of the town's energy usage.

In addition to helping the local environment, this translates into a yearly savings of $14,000 on energy bills. And another added bonus for the town of Superior is that it will receive $22,800 from Xcel Energy's SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) program. The project is expected to be cash-flow from the day it starts generating power.

Hats off to Superior's leadership for kicking off this initiative!

If your interested in learning more about the Superior Colorado or Louisville Colorado area, I invite you to contact me. Even if your not in the housing market. This is an amazing area and I love sharing things about it - I can give you an insider's look into the area, as only a “local” can.

Does Perseverance Work? I read a great blog post this morning entitled: "I Don't Believe in Circumstances". This got me thinking about another ingredient in the achievement of success – perseverance. The dictionary defines perseverance as: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.

In reality, we can't be beaten – unless we give up. This applies equally to success in building a real estate career, success in helping a homeowner sell their a home, success in helping a homeowner to avoid foreclosure, and success in getting a home buyer into their perfect home.

If your first approach doesn't work, take a look at it. What worked? What didn't work? Then use that information and start another approach. Believe in your ability to uncover the perfect solution. Seeing is believing, but believing is also seeing.

Nature gives us examples. In the photo above, if you only looked at the bottom two-thirds of this tree, you would think that the tree is dead. But when you look at the top third, you clearly see new growth – all due to the trees perseverance.

You may have to adjust your strategy or change the way you do things. You may have to try something new or get out of your comfort zone. But if you persist, if you persevere, you will get there – prove it to yourself.

Every so often when speaking with a buyer or seller the topic arises, “Do I really need a real estate agent?”

Well the short answer is no you don't. Depending on the circumstances, a person's experience, and a person's comfort level, you can absolutely buy or sell a home without a real estate agent. But why take the risk?

The real question should be “Why wouldn't you want help from a real estate agent?” I think the real issue is not having a thorough understanding of everything that's involved in a real estate transaction not to mention the potential pitfalls and financial risks.

My top ten reasons to use a real estate agent are:

1. Market knowledge. A good real estate agent is constantly studying the real estate market. We have to, for ourselves and for our clients. Determining a homes market value is absolutely essential in order to make sure our buyers don't pay too much, and that our sellers meet their goals when selling their home.

2. Serve as a guide through the process. Most people will buy and sell a handful of homes (their personal residences) throughout their lifetime. Most people are not doing that everyday, however. Doesn't it make sense to work with someone that is involved with real estate to guide you around potential pitfalls in some of the largest financial transactions you're likely to perform?

3. Effectively market a property. As real estate agents, we have access to a cooperative database that contains the majority of homes for sale, the Multiple Listing Service (the MLS). Additionally, we know many techniques to ensure that buyers and sellers are able to connect and meet their respective needs.

4. Help you evaluate contracts. When you work with a real estate agent everything is done through contracts. This is a very good thing. For your relationship with the agent it sets expectations and details what will be done. For the relationship between buyers and sellers it ensures that there are no misunderstandings.

5. Explain financing. Good real estate agents can explain financing options and help in identifying qualified lenders.

6. Monitor the market. As conditions in the market change a qualified real estate agent keeps their clients informed to help them in making educated decisions.

7. Network to help clients meet their goals. A successful real estate agent is likely a member to many groups and organizations, both physical and virtual (online). This is how I learn new techniques, exchange ideas, and provide better service to my clients. This is another great tool for finding the right buyer to a property or getting the word out on homes we're selling.

8. Handling offers. What is a fair market price? How do you know if you're paying too much or an offer is too low? Experience is key. As is using all the tools at our disposal to secure an equitable transaction.

9. Negotiate. Negotiating is an art. You get better at it through practice (experience). You can't be afraid to ask for what you want, and then work out the details of how both parties will get there.

10. Being objective. Because real estate transactions typically involve a substantial amount of money, emotions often get in the way. An effective real estate agent is objective and that objectivity helps their clients in making wise and informed decisions.

There are certainly many more reasons why you would want to work with successful, experienced professionals. If my car is making a strange noise, I know that a good mechanic is the best place to go. If I'm not feeling well, a doctor will be able to help me heal or be cured. If I have a legal issue, the first person I'd be talking to is an experienced lawyer.

A real estate transaction is no different. Well maybe slightly different since there are typically several hundred thousand dollars exchanging hands and a long term commitment being defined. An effective real estate agent is indispensable in helping you get to where you want to be.

I woke up early this morning and as I started to greet the day I thought it'd be nice if we had some fresh bagels for breakfast. I got in the car and started driving off to my favorite bagel place and as I reached the intersections of McCaslin Blvd. and Rock Creek Parkway (this is one of the high points in elevation in the town of Superior) I spotted them off on the horizon – hot air balloons!

Seeing hot air balloons when you're out and about in the early morning in the town of Superior is not really that much of an oddity in and of itself. In fact on most early mornings from springtime through fall you can see them, when the weather is cooperating.

Hot air balloons are a curious technology. It has been enabling humans to float in the sky since the late 1700's. If you read about them a little, you learn how buoyancy is created from the heated air in the balloon having a lower density than the relatively cold air surrounding the outside of the balloon. That's all very well and good, but as I watched these magnificent floating spheres this morning I realized that there has to be more to it than that.

Indeed, there is magic involved. The magic raises these giants into the air. It has to, there's just something joyous and happy about inflating a giant, colorful balloon to the point that it levitates people in a gondola high into the air (remember Uncle Albert in the movie Mary Poppins). The magic makes most people that see this beauty floating in the sky smile too.

Since I had some time to myself this morning, and since I noticed that the camera was in the car, I thought I'd get some colorful pictures.

I know that more than once I've caught myself rushing out of the house, hastily running for an early morning appointment, not really “seeing” my surroundings, and then I see the balloons. Instantly it reminds to slow down, be aware, and enjoy the moment. Like I said, magic.

This morning I could hear one of the balloons beckoning me to get closer. Of course, I had to give chase and follow the call.

I was lucky today and was able to meet up with the balloon as it came back to earth. I watched as one of the people in the gondola calmly gave the instructions that enabled all of the crew and passengers to safely disembark and then gently collapse the balloon, making sure not to rip or snag the balloon on anything. There was a zen-like aspect to how well this process was orchestrated.

After the balloon folding was underway, I introduced myself to the gentleman that had been providing guidance to the team. He turned out to be Tommy Cederlund, owner of Sunny Day Fly Away (it's a real interesting web site if you'd like to learn more about Tommy's interesting past and ballooning in general). Tommy took a few minutes and kindly talked to me a bit about ballooning and encouraged me to book a flight. Something that I now feel I will be doing soon.

I went and finally got the bagels and headed home, feeling happy and grateful for what I was able to experience this morning. The bagels were tasty too. I guess that's just a lingering part of the magic.

If your interested in looking for magical places around the Superior Colorado or Louisville Colorado area, I invite you to give me a call. Even if your not in the housing market. This is an amazing area and I love sharing things about it - I can give you an insider's look into the area, as only a “local” can.

Could you use a break from your day to day routine? Why not contact your local Habitat for Humanity and volunteer?

I recently had the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Denver. The Denver Colorado branch of Habitat for Humanity was founded by volunteers in 1979 and has built 395 homes throughout the Metro Denver area. These homes have housed over 1,700 people!

In my opinion, Habitat is a wonderful program. It's not a handout, but a cooperative effort. In order to get into the program, families go through a rigorous screening process and additionally agree to participate in building their home.

The homes are sold to the familes at no profit, through a no interest loan. Families that receive a home provide a down payment and also contribute 250-500 hours of their own sweat equity toward building their home – as well as building the homes of other families participating in the Habitat program.

Sometimes we need a helping hand to get back on track and I see the Habitat program providing this in a dignified manner. It provides families a springboard toward building better lives.

The strange thing is, as I find anytime I've volunteered, I almost feel guilty because I feel that I got more back from the experience then the day of labor I put. Being involved in real estate I enjoy seeing different architecture and learning about energy saving, especially green technologies. Homes built by the Habitat for Humanity of Denver are not just built with affordability in mind. Their team of experts design and construct high quality, energy efficient homes. The innovations in Habitat homes constructed in Denver typically exceed most building standards and consistently receive five-star energy efficiency ratings from E-Star Colorado.

Through volunteer, I was able to learn more about how to implement some energy efficiency techniques in a practical and physical sense. This is knowledge I can use as I preview homes, not to mention implementing some of the things I learned in my own home. I certainly have no objection to lowering monthly bills! I even got some exercise. Best of all, I also had the privilege working alongside the eventual homeowner in one of the units.

So if you're looking for a break in you day to day routine, why not give your local Habitat for Humanity a call?

If your interested in learning about Superior Colorado or Louisville Colorado feel free to give me a call. Even if your not in the housing market. This is an amazing area and I love sharing things about it - I can give you an insider's look into the area, as only a “local” can.

If you're looking for something fun (and healthy) to do on Saturday mornings in Louisville Colorado, why not visit the Louisville Farmers Market?

From June 5th through October 16th, on Saturday mornings in Louisville Colorado you'll be able to visit a good old fashion, open air framers market. Every week different local vendors offer varieties of natural beef, eggs, honey, Colorado wines, organic breads, crepes, pastries, and locally grown organic veggies.

Enjoy meeting some friendly people, buying and tasting some delicious, healthy food, and you can even hear some music playing in the background. Sometimes you can pick up great tips at the cooking demos. Best of all, we're supporting local businesses.

If your interested in learning more about the Superior-Louisville Colorado area feel free to give me a call. I can give you an insider's look into the area, as only a “local” can.

Even better, ride your bike there!

Hot Rod Lincoln careens through Louisville Colorado! What, how's that? Well for this to make sense we first we need to take a small step back in time. In the late sixties – early seventies, there was a funny, catchy tune that received quite a bit of air play on the radio. It's a great tale about a guy driving a souped up Lincoln and his adventures with a Cadillac sedan. That tale was told in a song called Hot Rod Lincoln popularized by a band called Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.

So what does all this have to do with Louisville Colorado? Well, on Friday nights from June through August the town of Louisville Colorado hosts the weekly Louisville Downtown Street Faire. Last night, June 25th was the the third installment in this year's schedule and Commander Cody was the featured musical artist.

I had not had the pleasure of having seen this band before, so I didn't really know what to expect. I remembered that they sang 'Hot Rod Lincoln' and also the old classic 'Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! That Cigarette', but honestly that was about it.

The great thing with seeing a band that's been around for a while is that there's a connection between the band members. They're professionals. You may not always see their connection, but you certainly do hear it, and sometimes you even feel it. Last night the Commander and Airmen were well in the zone. You could see it in the band members, the audience certainly seemed to feel it. A good time was had by all and they cooked! Thank you for a great night out, boys.

If you get a chance to see Commander Cody, I'd say definitely do it. I find it a little hard to describe there unique brand of music. The best I can do is stringing it into a long run on sentence: Their style is a perfect blend of rockabilly, boogie-woogie blues peppered with rock and country music. I know that doesn't come out meaning a whole heck of all lot – go see them and that might make sense (you might even agree). It's also very cool to see them take every song they play and “Codyize” it.

From L to R: Mark Emerick, Steve Barbuto, George Frayne, and Randy Bramwell - Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.

For the last several years Louisville Colorado continues to be voted one of the top five places to live in the country. There are a lot of reasons for this and I believe that the weekly Friday Street Faire is one of this community's great attractions. It's just a fun time to enjoy good music, meet your neighbors, visit the vendors, and provide support our local businesses. It puts a smile on your face too.

If your interested in learning more about the Superior-Louisville Colorado area feel free to give me a call. I can give you an insider's look into the area, as only a “local” can.

Rock Creek in Superior Colorado is great community that offers a lot of amenities.

There are 14 different communities in Rock Creek, offering homes in price ranges from the low $200,000's to over  million dollars in the gated community of Waterford. This family-friendly neighborhood has two parks with pools. Over 25 miles of greenbelt trails wind throughout the entire neighborhood.

Superior Elementary (K to 5) and Eldorado K-8 are the two schools found in the development. Since Superior is a part of Boulder County, these school are part of the Boulder Valley School District. The Boulder Valley School District is one of the best in the state of Colorado.

Throughout the year there are a lot of sponosred events in Superior including:

• Movie nights
• Chili Fest
• Concerts
• The Superior Morgul Classic Bicycle Race
• 4th of July Parade and Pancake Breakfast and One Mile downhill footrace
  

In addition, you never have to look too far to catch breathtaking views of the Flatirons mountains to the west.

Just east of Rock Creek, there is extensive shopping available at the Flatirons Crossing mall.

Southeast of the development you'll find Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.

Since Superior Colorado is located between Denver and Boulder, it offers residents a lot of choices in places to work. Northern Colorado has the RTD for mass transit, making the commute to either city very easy.

If you're interested in relocating to Colorado or finding out more about homes in Rock Creek in Superior Colorado a good place to start is here.